Frank Lampard earned some much-needed security for his position as Everton boss after his side came from behind to earn a huge point away at champions Manchester City in the Premier League thanks to a stunning strike from Demarai Gray.
The Toffees headed to the Etihad having lost their last three league matches and many people were expecting this one to be a routine victory for City, while also being Lampard’s last game in charge of the Merseyside club.
The attitude of the players has been called into question as well as the manager in recent weeks but they certainly showed that they are fighting for their manager with a spirited performance against Pep Guardiola’s side and with a huge point to see out 2022, could this be a huge turning point for 2023? The fans have had to suffer with mediocrity for too long but the commitment that each of their players showed in this 1-1 draw highlights that there could be more to come from them in the second half of the campaign as they look to escape being dragged into another nervy relegation battle.
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We are six-and-a-half years into Guardiola’s reign at Manchester City so by this point it no longer comes as a shock to see him make several changes to his lineup on a regular basis - while it remains a constant annoyance to Fantasy Premier League managers.
But based on his performances in recent years, a player you felt would never suffer being dropped for two matches in a row is full-back Joao Cancelo. The Portuguese star has been one of City’s star players of late thanks to his effectiveness in both halves of the pitch. He’s strong in the tackle, excellent at getting forward and is more than capable of scoring and creating goals.
For the past two Premier League matches over the festive period, Cancelo has had his spot pinched by youngster Rico Lewis who despite not playing on a weekly basis, is having quite an impressive breakout campaign. The 18-year-old has made three cameo appearances in the top-flight already this term, but his starring moment so far was when he scored on his first start in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund. Lewis became the youngest player to do so in the competition at the age of 17 years and 346 days.
He is just another exciting youngster from City’s academy getting accustomed to the first team picture at the Etihad Stadium alongside fellow youngster Cole Palmer. Both are being tipped for big futures with the Cityzens and this surprising opportunity that Lewis has been handed by Guardiola may be a test to see if he is ready to play two matches in a week or he feels that he is already there, either way it’s great for the academy and there is certainly a pathway for the youngsters to break into the first team.
Lewis has been touted as the long-term successor for Kyle Walker on the right side of the defence. Cancelo is also naturally a right-back but he has also shown his quality when deployed on the left countless times. Nonetheless, for two games running the Portuguese talent has been kept out of the starting lineup by this promising teenager. The more minutes he gets under his belt will benefit his personal growth and the team for when Walker moves on.
In his two consecutive Premier League starts, Lewis has demonstrated his versatility as he has been utilised in a flat back four against Leeds and then as a wing-back in their home clash with Everton. There is a lot to like about his game and he is certainly a City player to keep an eye on in the next few years.
City may have suffered a huge setback in the title race by being held to a point against the struggling Toffees but if anyone can get an instant response from his players it’s Guardiola. There's likely to be changes for their trip to Chelsea on Thursday night, and surely Cancelo will return to the starting XI.
Other Premier League 3pm results
AFC Bournemouth 0-2 Crystal Palace
Fulham 2-1 Southampton
Newcastle United 0-0 Leeds United
